Family Dollar settles federal harassment suit

(AP) — A federal sexual harassment lawsuit against Family Dollar Stores of Virginia Inc. has been settled.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission says the discount retailer agreed to pay $45,000 to settle the lawsuit.

A consent decree filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Richmond also requires Family Dollar to provide harassment training to managers and workers at stores in its District 184. The company also must provide copies of its anti-discrimination policies and complaint procedures to each employee in the district.

The EEOC filed the lawsuit last September. The agency alleged that Chanele Brown was groped and propositioned for sex by her male manager at a Richmond store from Aug. 18, 2009, through Sept. 5, 2009.